AZ Cardinals spreading holiday cheer

The Arizona Cardinals are making the rounds to various groups and organizations in the community to help brighten the holidays.

On Tuesday, Center Mike Gibson joined Nicole Bidwill, her therapy dog, Barney and Big Red for a visit to Circle the City at 333 W. Indian School Rd. in Phoenix. Circle the City is a nonprofit, non-denominational public charity that provides care to people experiencing homelessness in the immediate area.

With help from doctors, nurses, and respite assistants, they provide homeless men and women a time and place to heal after they are discharged from local hospitals.

Later in the afternoon, defensive end Ronald Talley and Big Red read to students at Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School at 700 N. Hartford in Chandler, as part of the SRP and Safeway Milk and Cookies program designed to promote literacy throughout Valley elementary schools.

About 50 children read with a Cardinals player and enjoyed activities with team mascot Big Red.

To round out the day, safety Tony Jefferson and Big Red hosted a Kids Camp benefiting the Girl Scouts of Arizona at the Tempe Sports Complex.

Monday night, some players, front office personnel and team wives appeared at the annual Early Bird Thanksgiving Dinner at the Phoenix Rescue Mission. It was part of an ongoing Help Feed the Hungry initiative.